Katarzyna Petru
TCL enters a new round of competition with Samsung. The manufacturer has announced the Nxtvision A400 Pro model – a television that is finally set to stand on par with The Frame Pro, and even surpass it in terms of picture quality. This time it's not just another "frame," but a fully-fledged miniLED screen with true local dimming.
Until now, TCL has competed with The Frame using the Nxtvision A300 series, previously known as Nxtframe. Like Samsung, the Chinese have opted for a matte LCD panel that transforms into a digital gallery when the television is turned off. However, a big step forward is now on the horizon.
True miniLED versus Samsung's edge-lit miniLED
The Frame Pro has introduced miniLED to the frame series, but in practice, it turned out that this is not the classic miniLED known from higher-end models. Samsung opted for edge lighting, which offers virtually no local dimming zones. The effect? Brightness is higher, but contrast control remains similar to cheaper edge-lit LED televisions.
The TCL A400 Pro takes a completely different approach. It features miniLED with genuine local dimming and a quantum dot layer, placing this model closer to the high-end LCD tier. Despite having true local dimming, the design is still surprisingly slim – 4 to 4.5 cm deep. TCL has not yet revealed the number of zones, but everything indicates that there will be significantly more than the "symbolic zero" found in The Frame Pro.
Less art, but TCL is catching up fast
Samsung's biggest advantage still lies in its gigantic library of artworks. Over 4000 images from museums and cultural institutions around the world make an offer that TCL – at least today – cannot surpass. Nxtvision has over 100 available graphics, but the brand emphasises that it is intensively developing its resources and takes the art-TV line very seriously. The launch of the A400 Pro model is a clear signal that TCL intends to tie up this competition perfectly by 2026.
Specification doesn't disappoint
The A400 Pro has a full package of premium features for discerning viewers and gamers. Support for 144 Hz, and even 288 Hz at reduced resolution, HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, WiFi 6, and a complete range of audio formats with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X provide a solid foundation for many years. Onboard, we find Onkyo speakers, although it is currently unknown whether TCL continues its collaboration with B&O, which co-created the audio in the current Nxtvision Pro model.
Many sizes and global debut in 2026
The television will be available in versions of 55, 65, 75, 85 and even 98 inches. The launch is planned in China, but all signs indicate that the A400 Pro will also appear in Europe and America next year. We should hear more details in January at the CES 2026 trade show.
TCL is preparing for a strong start to the new season. If the manufacturer delivers picture quality on par with its best miniLEDs, The Frame Pro may gain a truly serious competitor for the first time in history – and in a segment that until now Samsung has practically owned.
